"How much do you want?" Qin Ruofang asked, narrowing her eyes.
"I'm in the hospital, so at least five hundred thousand," this figure was the conclusion he reached after much deliberation. It wouldn't be too much, nor would he be at a disadvantage.
But he clearly overestimated his own value.
"Just a superficial wound, and you had to go to the hospital? Even if it were a serious injury, the medical expenses would only be tens of thousands. Your appetite is truly enormous." Qin Ruofang wasn't a fool, and she certainly wouldn't agree to such an unreasonable demand.
Seeing her refuse to pay, Su Chengtou couldn't help but threaten, "Aren't you afraid I'll spill your secrets? If this gets serious, you'll be sued."
"You can sue me! You were the one who went to the bank back then!" Qin Ruofang had thought through everything carefully before roping Su Chengtou in.
She deliberately used a large sum of money to entice Su Chengtou, who resembled Su Chenghai, to impersonate him and conduct business at the bank. She, on the other hand, remained in the background, orchestrating the entire plan. Even if it were exposed, as long as she denied everything, they couldn't do anything to her.
The bank surveillance camera had only captured Su Chengtou!
Upon hearing her words, Su Chengtou indeed dared not be so aggressive. "Then, ten thousand! I can't have taken this beating for nothing."
"Twenty thousand," Qin Ruofang stated. "Take it or leave it!"
"Qin Ruofang, are you truly not afraid that I'll drag you down with me?" Su Chengtou was getting desperate.
"Do you have any proof?" Qin Ruofang asked softly.
At the time, she had met Su Chengtou in person to discuss the matter and, feigning concern about leaving a trail, had forbidden communication on social media. If they needed to discuss anything, it had to be via phone call.
Given Su Chengtou's dull mind, he probably wouldn't think of recording the conversation for evidence.
Su Chengtou was indeed a man of brawn over brains. A junior high school graduate, how could he compare to Qin Ruofang, who had received an elite education and possessed a hundred and eight tricks up her sleeve?
Su Chengtou was so angry he couldn't speak.
"Twenty thousand yuan is already showing great benevolence," Qin Ruofang said. "We agreed on a final price. After this, we go our separate ways, never to see each other again."
Su Chengtou still wanted to play the victim, but Qin Ruofang warned him again, "If you dare to say anything that makes things difficult for me, I'll make it difficult for your entire Su family!"
Although the Qin family had declined, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. It was more than enough for her to handle them.
Su Chengtou dared not confront her head-on and could only compromise, accepting the twenty thousand yuan.
Of course, Qin Ruofang didn't transfer the money directly. Instead, she called a friend to wire the funds to him from another city. This was also a precaution.
After hanging up the phone, Qin Ruofang's eyelids still twitched uncontrollably.
She disliked this feeling of losing control, always sensing that something bad was about to happen.
As expected, just as she was heading to the airport to fly to the next city, she encountered trouble.
"Madam, please show your identification," she was stopped while going through security.
Qin Ruofang frowned and replied in broken English, "Is there a problem?"
She reluctantly presented her identification.
After two men in uniform examined it and exchanged a few words in a foreign tongue, they invited her to a nearby lounge.
"We apologize, Madam. You are suspected in a case, and we hope you will cooperate with our investigation."
"Impossible!" Qin Ruofang immediately denied it. "Could there be a mistake? I'm just an ordinary tourist..."
"We'll know after the investigation," the other party clearly had no intention of letting her go easily.
Qin Ruofang was unfamiliar with the place and, unable to resist, had to rebook her flight and was obediently taken to a nearby police station.
However, upon arriving at the station, no one questioned her. She was simply locked in a small room.
As time passed, Qin Ruofang's patience wore thin. "I've cooperated with your investigation. If you have any questions, ask them quickly. I have other plans."
But no matter how loudly she shouted, she was ignored.
Qin Ruofang became increasingly anxious, sensing that something was amiss.
Had she been set up?
Recently, the news often reported on tourists being framed abroad, requiring large bail to be released. The wealthy could regain their freedom by paying. Those without money had to call friends and family for help, and might even get beaten up.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but regret her decision to travel abroad.
Qin Ruofang was somewhat afraid.
But her phone had been confiscated by the police, cutting off all contact with the outside world, leaving her unable to seek help.
"Let me out!"
"We can discuss anything. Money is not a problem!"
"Hello? Is anyone there?"
Qin Ruofang finally couldn't sit still and got up to knock on the door.
However, no one responded.
The door was locked from the outside to prevent escape. Qin Ruofang tried various methods, but it wouldn't open. Her palms turned red from knocking, but there was still no answer.
Being confined in such a sealed room tested one's mental fortitude.
Qin Ruofang, despite her minor cleverness, had never encountered such a situation, and her psychological defenses were slowly crumbling.
Three hours later, the door finally opened, and a man in a suit appeared before her.
Qin Ruofang slowly looked up. Seeing an Eastern face identical to hers, her eyes lit up. "Who are you? Why did they lock me up, and when will they let me go?"
"Is it about money? I'll give you whatever amount!"
To get out, Qin Ruofang lowered her stance considerably.
It was evident she was terrified.
"Miss Qin," the other party greeted her in Chinese.
Hearing this, Qin Ruofang became even more agitated. "Are you here to save me?"
"This must be a misunderstanding!" she declared confidently.
The man in the suit smiled, maintaining his professional demeanor. "Miss Qin, I am an employee of the local embassy. We just received a notification from our country, which compelled us to intercept you at the airport."
As he spoke, he took a document from his bag and handed it to her.
Qin Ruofang frowned and took it, scanning it quickly. The short two-page document didn't take long to read. However, the further she read, the paler her face became.
Su Chenghai had sued her!
He accused her of illegally transferring his assets and demanded the return of ill-gotten gains.
The divorce had been finalized several months ago, and the money was earned by Su Chenghai after the divorce, having nothing to do with Qin Ruofang.
Qin Ruofang's eyes widened in disbelief, unable to accept that it was true.
She had meticulously planned everything, so how could she have left so much evidence?
Her first thought was that someone had forged the evidence.
Little did she know, all of this was the work of Lu Yanbei.
Qin Ruofang, believing herself to be clever, had outsmarted herself.
She thought Su Chengtou was dull-witted, unaware that the phone call earlier had been made under duress from someone forcing Su Chengtou to make it. The conversation was naturally recorded, and Qin Ruofang had no way to deny it.
Looking at the evidence, Qin Ruofang's hands began to tremble uncontrollably.
Su Chengtou actually dared to betray her!